Diabetes is a serious disease that occurs when a person's blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Our bodies make glucose, and it also comes from the food we eat. To use glucose as energy, the body needs insulin, a hormone that helps sugar enter the body's cells.
Types of diabetes
If you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or doesn't use insulin in the right way (type 2 diabetes). Both types can cause too much sugar to stay in the blood, which damages the body over time. Type 1 diabetes often starts in childhood, while type 2 diabetes is more common in older adults, especially if they are overweight. Prediabetes occurs when glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to indicate diabetes.
Risks for older adults
Older adults with diabetes face extra challenges, such as a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems and other health issues. They may also experience depression, memory loss, or vision problems.
Síntomas
Diabetes symptoms include feeling tired, being hungrier or thirstier than usual, losing weight without trying, needing to urinate often, feeling numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, having blurry vision, and experiencing slow healing of cuts or bruises. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms develop slowly and may go unnoticed.
How to control your blood sugar
The good news is that most symptoms of diabetes can be treated and managed. Controlling your blood sugar, also called glycemic control, means keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range to prevent complications from diabetes. Managing diabetes often involves taking several medications, so it's important to work closely with your care team to ensure all your medications are working together safely.
Lifestyle habits to help manage diabetes
- Lose weight if needed.
- Take medications exactly as prescribed.
- Eat smaller portions and choose healthier foods rich in fiber like vegetables and fruits.
- Exercise regularly*. Even moderate activities like walking can help lower your blood sugar as well as your blood pressure.
- Quit smoking if you smoke. Sharp Health Plan's Best Health® program offers free smoking cessation support.
Sharp Health Plan members have free access to personal health and lifestyle coaches who will guide you towards improved health. Visit our health coaching page to learn more.
*Always consult your healthcare provider to help you create an exercise plan that meets your specific needs.
Fuentes: National Institute on Aging; NIH
